‘1066 And All That’ by Reginald Arkell

Reginald Arknell’s ‘1066 And All That’ is a Musical Comedy based on that memorable history by Sellar and Yeatman. It was first produced at the Birmingham Repertory Company in 1934 and subsequently at the Strand Theatre, Aldwych, London on the 25th April 1935

In the MDC programme notes Cyril Malyon comments that ‘this was the toughest nut yet cracked by the group and the fact that it has reached the Stage is entirely to their credit. ******** of teamwork has been reached and the drive and ************* of our members has been phenomenal. Scenic design, ***********, have all been in their hands and they have risen to the occasion. To mention names would be invidious, they are found on the following pages – but let the results speak for them’.

And – just to give an idea why Cyril regarded it as the ‘toughest nut yet’ the script and programme shows a total cast & backstage company of 61 – some 26 Scenes, each set in a specific period of history – 98 individual characters (plus numerous Chorus, Soldiers, Villagers, Pages, Barons, Monks, Barbers, Ladies, Dancers, Sailors & Sunbathers’), numerous costumes (and changes of) and 27 different musical pieces – fortunately not all of which had to be sung!!!

1066 And All That – Script. Shown with the kind permission of Samuel French Limited

Guardian Report – 1066 And All That – 21 May 1965

Sc5 – King Canute

Sc7 – Crusaders – Valerie & Gerald

Sc 7 – Crusaders – Andrea, Dave & Val

Sc10 – Bruce & The Spider Chris Smith

Sc11 – Henry Eighth – Irene, Val & John

Sc12 – Beards

Sc12 – Beards – Barry, Dave, Gerald & Jim

Sc12 – Beards – Jenny, Iris, Dave, Jim & Gerald

Sc15 – Puritan & Cavalier – Eric & Susan

Sc15 – Puritan & Cavalier – Susan

Sc16 – Merrie England – Florence, Denis, Jenny & Iris

Sc16 – Merrie England – Florence & Gerald

Sc18 – Four Georges – Chris Smith, Jim & Alan

Sc19 – Napoleonic Wars – Peter & Gordon

Sc21 – Victorian Age – Penny & Dave

1066

1066 – Common Man – Barry

John as Henry VIII (First Home Fitting of Costume!)

Henry 8th – John

1066 & All That – Programme

Scene Picture from Script

Scene Picture from Script

Cast:

Excepting Barry Elliott, who appeared as ‘The Common Man’ in every scene, all the other members of the cast, given here in alphabetical order, played numerous roles.